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Ascomycetes

Protista and Fungi in Biological Classification

Learn the key features, types, and roles of Kingdom Protista and Kingdom Fungi in the biological classification system.
Protista and Fungi in Biological Classification Protista and Fungi Classification in Biology

Understand the diversity of unicellular eukaryotes in Protista and heterotrophic organisms in Fungi, their types, and ecological importance.

Table of Contents

Kingdom Protista

Definition

All single-celled eukaryotes are grouped under Protista. They exhibit both plant-like and animal-like features and mostly live in aquatic environments.

Key Features

  • Eukaryotic unicellular organisms
  • Both autotrophs and heterotrophs
  • Flagella/cilia for movement
  • Asexual and sexual reproduction

Types of Protists

Chrysophytes

Diatoms and golden algae with silica cell walls; major producers in oceans.

Dinoflagellates

Marine organisms with cellulose plates and two flagella; cause red tides.

Euglenoids

Freshwater, flexible organisms with photosynthetic and heterotrophic modes (e.g., Euglena).

Protozoans

Heterotrophic, includes amoeboids, flagellates (Trypanosoma), ciliates (Paramoecium), and sporozoans (Plasmodium).

Kingdom Fungi

Overview

Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that play key roles as decomposers. They include molds, mushrooms, and yeasts.

Characteristics

  • Cell wall made of chitin
  • Unicellular (yeast) or filamentous (hyphae, mycelium)
  • Reproduce via spores or sexually by plasmogamy, karyogamy, and meiosis

Classes of Fungi

Phycomycetes

Aquatic/moist fungi like Rhizopus; reproduce by motile spores.

Ascomycetes

“Sac fungi” like Penicillium and yeast; form ascospores inside asci.

Basidiomycetes

Includes mushrooms, rusts, and smuts; known for basidiospores.

Deuteromycetes

Imperfect fungi; reproduce only asexually (e.g., Alternaria).

FAQs

Q1: What organisms are in Protista?
Ans: Diatoms, Euglenoids, Protozoa, Dinoflagellates, Slime molds.
Q2: What is the role of diatoms in nature?
Ans: Diatoms are major producers and form diatomaceous earth used in industries.
Q3: What causes red tides?
Ans: Red tides are caused by dinoflagellates like Gonyaulax.
Q4: What is a dikaryon stage in fungi?
Ans: A fungal stage with two nuclei per cell before fusion.
Q5: What is the pellicle in Euglenoids?
Ans: The pellicle is a protein-rich flexible layer that replaces the cell wall in Euglenoids, allowing flexible movement.
Q6: Which pigment do Euglenoids possess?
Ans: Euglenoids possess pigments identical to those found in higher plants, such as chlorophyll a and b.
Q7: What is red tide and what causes it?
Ans: Red tide is discoloration of seawater due to rapid multiplication of red dinoflagellates like Gonyaulax.
Q8: Name the spore types in fungi reproduction.
Ans: Fungi reproduce using conidia, sporangiospores, zoospores (asexual), and ascospores, basidiospores, oospores (sexual).
Q9: What is a dikaryotic cell in fungi?
Ans: A dikaryotic cell contains two genetically different nuclei and occurs in the sexual cycle of many fungi.
Q10: What are slime molds?
Ans: Slime molds are saprophytic protists that form a multicellular plasmodium and reproduce via spores.
Q11: How do protozoans move?
Ans: Protozoans use pseudopodia, flagella, or cilia for movement depending on their group.
Q12: Which fungi are used in antibiotic production?
Ans: Penicillium is a fungus used to produce the antibiotic penicillin.
Q13: Which fungi are edible?
Ans: Edible fungi include morels, truffles, and mushrooms like Agaricus.
Q14: Why are Deuteromycetes called imperfect fungi?
Ans: They are called imperfect fungi because their sexual reproductive stage is unknown.
Q15: How are fungi important ecologically?
Ans: Fungi act as decomposers, recycle nutrients, form symbiotic relationships, and maintain ecosystem balance.
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